This question involves factory ammo, but my real question is more about bullet performance than loaded ammo, so I thought I would post it here.

Recently I have been shooting Federal factory ammo in a recently acquired 300WSM. I have tried the Federal Vital-Shok ammo using 180gr. Nosler Partition, Nosler Accubond and Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullets. Both the Accubonds and the Trophy Bonded Bear Claws shoot sub MOA and the Partitions shoot 1 inch or slightly larger.

While any one of these loads is accurate enough for hunting purposes, nothing builds confidence like a supremely accurate rifle and load. For that reason, I tend to prefer the bonded bullets. On the other hand, the Partitions are tried and true performers, especially where penetration is an issue.

So my question is this. On African plains game which of the two bonded bullets (Accubond or Trophy Bonded Bear Claw) are considered superior? Or should both be chucked in favour of the Partition, in spite of its marginally inferior accuracy?

"Plains Game" ranges from 14-pound Dik-Dik to 1400-pound Eland. Which "plains game" are you talking about?

If Eland is not on your list, then a 600-lb zebra or 500-lb Kudu is the largest you'll have to worry about. Neither requires The Hammer of Thor to kill. I wouldn't worry about any of the bullets you've mentioned being adequate for the 600-pounders. I would have a little concern that the Bear Claws might be a bit disappointing on something like a 90-pound Springbok because of very minimal expansion, but that's a difference of falling on the spot and running 75 yards with a heart shot. No big deal, so use whichever bullet your personal prejudices dictate.

I have killed a slew of things (no pun intended) with partitions and everything I ever shot with a bear claw was DRT. I'd not worry about either one of them. I have not used the accubond. Kudude

I have used the NP on many diff. game animlas including a few African species. It's a great all around bullet. THe TBBC is a bit tougher bullet I would use for larger, tougher game, in the same laeague as the Swift. The NAB is a good bullet but not a TBBC, fine for all around plainsgame use for sure, but for Eland or Blue wildebeast, use the TBBC.

I wouldn't hesitate to go hunting anything called African Plains Game with any of the bullets you describe but of the three the TBBC would be my pick.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I wouldn't hesitate to go hunting anything called African Plains Game with any of the bullets you describe but of the three the TBBC would be my pick.

Ditto... TBBC

I like the Accubonds, have had great results with them, plus best accuracy.
Best Regards,
Tom

TBBC in 375 has shot everything from Wildebeest and Kudu to Buff and Hippo

except for buff all had exit wounds

I also shot zebra, red Hartebeest, warthog, Waterbuck and Gemsbok with Winchester silvertip - excepting warthog, none had exit wounds

in summary for PG, TBBC a little OTT except for the really bigger stuff

something slightly faster expanding better IMHO

I thought I was pretty fluent in internetese, but "DRT", "OTT" ???

DRT= dead right there, which is a beautiful thing. OTT, I have no clue either.

OTT, Over The Top!